NC State Fair brings homegrown music to Dorton Arena

Country superstar Ronnie Milsap, a Robbinsville native and Country Music Hall of Famer, will headline Oct. 16 at Dorton Arena the fifth night of the N.C. State Fair. Rick DiamondGetty Images for Black River Entertainment

Country superstar Ronnie Milsap, a Robbinsville native and Country Music Hall of Famer, will headline Oct. 16 at Dorton Arena the fifth night of the N.C. State Fair. Rick DiamondGetty Images for Black River Entertainment

The N.C. State Fair kicked off Thursday, and with that the third year of the Homegrown Music Fest concerts with acts from North Carolina, or with ties to North Carolina.

All of the shows are free to attend with paid fair admission.

The State Fair runs through Oct. 22 at the State Fairgrounds.

Country superstar Ronnie Milsap, a Robbinsville native and Country Music Hall of Famer, is this year’s biggest name. He’ll headline Oct. 16 at Dorton Arena, the fifth night of the fair.

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Other Dorton draws include rising country hitmakers Parmalee, 1990s-vintage Chapel Hill pop band Dillon Fence and nights given over to gospel, soul and beach music.

There are also a few out-of-state acts, though with North Carolina connections. Before Jump, Little Children wound up in their hometown of Charleston, S.C., the band formed 26 years ago at the N.C. School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. In a nod to diversity, Jump’s opening act will be She Returns From War, fronted by transgender woman Hunter Park.

And Marcy Playground (of 1997’s “Sex and Candy” fame) is from New York but has numerous business ties to North Carolina through State Fair show producer Deep South Entertainment.